Frederick h



(NoMolel.)

\ P. H. HEATH.

RAIL CLAMP.

No. 495,001. Patented Apr. 4,1893

.Z50/enfer UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE.

FREDERICK Il. HEATH, VOF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO THE HEATHRAIL JOINT COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

RAIL- CLAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming partl of Letters Patent No. 495,001, dated April4, 1893.l

` Application inea my 21, 1892. sani No. 433.910. (Numan.)

To a/ZZ whom, it may con/cern.'

Beit known that I, FREDERICK H. HEATH, of Minneapolis, in the county otHennepin and State of Minnesota., have invented certain Improvements inRail-Olampsof which the following is a specioation.

My invention relates to a grip clamp having a rocking motion for joiningand aligning the ends of rails and for supporting said ends to preventtheir being driven down by the weight of the passing train and theobject of the invention is to provide a more simple, a cheaper, a moredurable and a more readily handled rail clamp, arranged to engage theilanges of the rails and by means ot which they may be accuratelyaligned and solidly connected. To this end I employ a pair of curvedrocker-clamps, using the same in connection with a transverse boltextendingbeneath the rail-bases and by means of which the clamps may beforced firmly thereon.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference totheaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in whichFigure l is a side elevation of two rails secured by devices embodyingmy invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional elevation on the line -:cof Fig. l. Fig. 8 is an enlarged View of the inside of one of myrail-clamps. Figi 4 is a sectional view thereof on the line fy--fyshowing also the independently movable washer, through which thethreaded end of the bolt passes. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on theline 2:--21 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view showing acomplete rail clamp assembled.

As shown in the drawings, 2, 2 represent the ends of the rails. Theserails may be secured together and strengthened against side strain bythe usual fish-plates 3 arranged one on each side thereof and fastenedupon the rails by short bolts l which pass through the rail webs. Thisleaves the flanges of the rail-bases free at the edges to receive theclamping edges of the two curved rock er-clamps 5 adapted to engage thetop and bottom of the rail base and secured by the transverse bolt 6.

The particular construction of the clamping block is shown in Figs. 4 to6 where it will be seen that the main portion 7 presents the appearanceof an open sided tube with oney of its sides bent inwardly so that thelower clamping edge 8 engages the bottom of the rail bases farther inthan the upper clamping edge 9 resting upon the top of the base. Now itwill be seen that when the clamp is drawn downwardly and inwardly theedges 8 and 9 being thrown more nearly into the same horizontal planewill be forced firmly upon the rail-base from beneath and above tendingto bend down the outer edge thereof. This vertical clamping action uponthe rail-bases of 4the two rails draws the same into the sainehorizontal position. The part 7 is strengthened by four or more of theprojecting ribs 10 and in its lower side is provided with the transverseslot or notch l1, the inner and lower parts of the clamp beingstrengthened and prevented from spreading by the bridge clamp 12. Uponthe outer side and at each side of the slot l1 I arrange the smallhorizontal seats 13 in which the semicylindrical or curved ends 14 ofthe self-adjusting washer l5 are adapted to rest. The washer ispreferably fastened upon the clamping-block in manufacture, the washerbeing first cast with the small nibs or lugs 16 which extend into themold for the clamp and when the metal is poured into said mold theseround lugs are embedded therein. By striking the washer after theclamping-block has cooled the lugs may be loosenedin their sockets sothat the washer will swing with respect to the block. The clamping-blockfor the other side of the rail has simply a deep cylindrical seat 17like that numbered 13 and adapted to receive the curved inner side ofthe integral T or cross head 18 of the bolt 6. The threaded end of thebolt extends through the hole in the washer and is fastened by the nut19 which bears against the square or tlat outer end 20 of the washer. Itis obvious that after placing the two rocker clamps upon opposite sidesof the rail bases and passing the bolt 6 beneath the rail and throughthe slots ll and the washer ofv the clamp the clamps may be drawn firmlyinto place by tightening the nut 19, the bolt 6 serving as an adjustabletruss, and always maintaining a free horizontal position owing to themanner of pivoting the ends thereof.

IOO

Having thus described my invention, l claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. As a new article of manufacture, a railclamphaving the curved form and the slotted lower side and provided Withthestrengthening ribs andthe longitudinal bridge 12, substantially asdescribed. v

2. As a new article of manufacture, the railclamp having the main body 7provided with the slot 11, the strengthening ribs 10, the longitudinalbridge 12 and the longitudinally arranged seat, substantially asdescribed.

3. As a new article of manufacture, the curved rocker clamp made upl ofthe main body 7 having the clamping edges 8 and 9 and the strengtheningribs, the lower part ot the'same 0f them and a T-head bolt having itshead pivoted inthe other and its threaded end secured in said washer,scribed.

(3. The combination with the rail or rails, of

substantially y as de- `the two curved rocker clamps having the edges 8and 9, said edges 9 extending inwardly farther than the edges S, each ofsaid clamps being strengthened by ribs 10, each provided with alongitudinal seat or recess and with a slot 11, the T-head bolt, thelocking nut thereof, and the adjustable or pivoted washer substantiallyas described.

7. The combination with the rail orrails of the rocker clamps having'the edges 8 and 9 and the strengtheningribs, the lower side of yeachclamp being provided with a transverse slot, the bolt having the head 18and nut 19, each block provided with a recess or seat, said head restingin one ot them, and the washer 15 having the lugs 14 confined in theseat of the other clamp 'and having the lugs or nibs 16 wherebyythewasher is secured thereon, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 17th dayof May, A.D. 1892. FREDERICK H. HEATH. t In presence of C. G. HAWLEY, F; S. LYON.

